Now Commenting On:

Leary has early ties to Bay Area, Redmond

SAN FRANCISCO -- Miami bench coach Rob Leary grew up watching the Giants play at Candlestick Park and was a high school teammate of Barry Bonds.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond received instruction in catching from Leary, who worked for the Marlins organization between 1995-2001.

"That first year I worked with him we just got along," Leary said.

Redmond said he was attracted to Leary's passion for the game.

"He's a great catching guy," Redmond said. "When I was coming up, I loved his approach. We always hit it off. As a player and coach, I trusted him. He prepared me in many ways. It's great having him as a coach. He's great with our catchers. He developed a catching program and guys have responded to that."

Leary said he developed the program after taking things he learned at every level, from high school through the pros.

Leary, who attended College of San Mateo before graduating from LSU, played against current Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin, who attended Cal.

A's pitching coach Curt Young knew Leary from their days together with the Boston Red Sox and recommended him for Melvin's staff.

Rick Eymer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.